MONTREAL, 16 August 2006 — France’s Nathalie Dechy booked her place in the second round of the $1.3 million Rogers Cup on Monday after a 6-7, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Israel’s Tzipora Obziler.
A clear crowd favorite in the predominantly French speaking city, Dechy rallied from the loss of the first set tie-break to comfortably prevail and she now faces Russian 15th seed Maria Kirilenko in the second round.
Kirilenko suffered a second-set stutter before eclipsing Croatia’s Jelena Kostanic 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
Top seed Kim Clijsters, the clear favorite after the withdrawals of Justine Henin-Hardenne, Amelie Mauresmo, and Maria Sharapova, awaits the winner of the suspended first-round match between Tathiana Garbin and Stephanie Dubois.
Canadian wildcard Dubois was 6-4, 0-1 ahead against the Italian lucky loser when played was called off for the day.
Italy’s Maria Santangelo booked a second-round clash with seventh seed Martina Hingis of Switzerland after a 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Austria’s Sybille Bammer.
Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic, seeded 13, got the better of French teenager Tatiana Golvin 6-4, 6-2 while Flavia Pennetta, the 12th-seeded Italian, ousted Russian qualifier Galina Voskoboeva 6-3, 6-1.
Italy’s Alberta Brianti rallied to defeat India’s Sania Mirza 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in first round. Brianti booked a second-round date with Slovenian 14th seed Katarina Srebotnik, who ousted Dutch standout Michaella Krajicek 6-3, 7-5.
